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One-week ban for Bias

Date published: January 19 2016

Castres back-row Alexandre Bias has been suspended for one week following an independent Disciplinary Hearing in Paris on Tuesday.

Bias was sent off by referee, Peter Fizgibbon (Ireland), in the 57th minute of the Challenge Cup, Round 5 match against the Dragons last Friday for a dangerous tackle on loosehead prop Phil Price, in contravention of Law 10.4 (e).

The independent Judicial Officer, David Martin (Ireland), heard evidence and submissions from Bias, who pleaded guilty to the offence, from the Castres Director General, Matthias Rolland, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

In upholding the red card decision, the Judicial Officer decided to alter the charge to one of Dangerous Charging under Law 10.4 (g).

Law 10.4 (g) Dangerous charging or knocking down an opponent with the ball, including shouldering
Under World Rugby's Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (g), Dangerous charging, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-Range:5 weeks; Top End: 10 to 52 weeks.

The Judicial Officer then decided that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby's sanctions and selected two weeks as the appropriate entry point.

He reduced the sanction by the maximum of 50 per cent of the entry point taking into account Bias' timely guilty plea, expression of remorse, good character and good conduct at the hearing before imposing a suspension of one week.

Bias is free to play on Monday, 25 January 2016. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.